Broken Vessels

Kabanata 38

Kabanata 38

Let Him In

Frozen. Stunned. Paralyzed. My heart ached from what I saw.

Mommy was leaning on the man sitting on the sofa. They were teasing each other, laughing, whispering, exchanging a kind of intimacy I had never seen before. . . not from her. When she started to bend down closer to him. Probably about to kiss or do something more. I took the opportunity to interrupt. To speak. To break whatever was happening. To make my presence known.
I don't even realize my hands are shaking. My throat is dry. . .painfully dry. But I need them to see me. I need them to notice. This is madness. The most disgusting thing I've ever witnessed.

My mother stood up in shock, and the man, who had been leaning against the sofa, did the same. So this is the mayor they were talking about. Tama nga sila! All their accusations were true, and I was just blinded! How could I not be? Mommy is my biggest role model. She's the one I've always looked up to. She had the courage to raise me all alone, without any help from her parents! I couldn't imagine myself having a child and doing it all on my own! Kaya talagang nagulat ako sa ganitong pangyayari. Hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit kailangan pa niyang pumasok sa ganito?

"Bee," Mom's voice sounds terrified.

Umiling kaagad ako. Ayaw kong marinig ang kahit ano mula sa kanya ngayon. Hindi ko kakayanin.

"Anong ginawa niyo? Mayor? At bakit mo..." Napahinto ako sa pagsasalita.

I held my chest because my heart felt unbearably tight. I couldn't even breathe. It felt prohibited to live.

"Let me explain, Bethany!" My mom tried to reach out, her hand extending toward me.

I step back and look at her coldly.

"Explain? For what? Just to lie to me again? Ano pa, Mommy? Ilan pa? How many lies do you have in you? Aside from being a mistress, what else have you been hiding?"

The mayor coughs beside her, as if nothing just happened. He pretends I didn't just witness the truth. He stands confidently, casually straightening his polo.

"Ah... I think I should go," he murmured, glancing at my mother.

"Huwag! Subukan mong humakbang at baka bukas masira talaga ang pangalan na iniingatan mo!" I shout at him, my voice trembling, but loud and clear enough for him to understand.

I see the shock on his face. Lumapit muli si Mommy sa akin, now crying so badly.

"Anak, please..."

"No! Don't call me that!" I scream until my voice breaks, tears burning in my eyes.

"Ilang taon ka nagsinungaling sa akin? You were always so angry at me for not meeting your sudden expectations pero ikaw pala, ikaw itong may ginagawang mas masahol pa!"

"I did it for us—"

"So totoo nga?! Binabayaran ka ng hayop na 'to?"

I point at her man and let out a bitter laugh. Mommy doesn't move or say a word—she just keeps crying, as if she's the victim here.

"At anong sinabi mo? You did it for us? Baka naman for you! Para sa kapangyarihan mo, para sa pride mo! You lied to me! And the worst part is...you chose this fucking thing over your daughter!"

The mayor tried to step forward, but I glared at him—sharp enough to cut. He froze, hands in midair.

"Don't you dare step forward or talk back! You've already ruined your family, and now you're helping ruin mine!"

Mommy sobbed and tried to reach out again.

"Bethany—"

"I said stop!" I snap.